The video of the wrap of the trip we think is sums not only our experience, but motorhoming in general. We would love you to watch it
Hope this is not too dull but many have asked!!
Number of Miles / Kilometres driven 14,270 / 22,965
Places Stayed 160 stops in the year a mix of Campsites, Free Aires, Paid Aires and Freedom Camping an average of three nights per stop. See all the stops click here for a map with a review of each one!
We spent 16 nights each outside the van during the year. Some with family and friends and some as treats as we went along.
Number miles / Kilometres cycled 783 / 1,260
Distance walked! According to my iPhone we walked average of 15,000 steps a day during the trip. This was up from my average of 5,400 a day in the year before. So a lot further, approx. 10 km per day!
Litres of diesel bought (we still have a half a tank!) 2,640 at a cost per litre on average of €1.0023 per litre. The app says we got an average of 25.22 MPG who are we to argue, also says it cost €0.22 per mile.
We used 200 litres of gas at a cost €120 this kept or fridge cool and heated us up and cooked our food. Good value all in all.
We have had a number of repairs to do on the NiKi and our Bikes
First Service €149,00, tyre repair €19, two new tyres €300 and a new wing mirror €300 We had to have the shower tray repaired at a cost of €250, 2 new door shelves for the fridge €35 and misc. other things at a cost of €100. The totals being, €768 for the vehicle and €380 for the habitation we have booked in a habitation check for the 16th Jan and the awning needs adjustment from the wind damaged it had back in Sept. so you can add another €200 to the habitation grand total for all NiKi repairs and maintenance €1,348.
Did we stay on Budget??
We were very fortunate to have a larger budget for the trip than most, long term motorhomers we met. This was perhaps due to the nature of the trip. We planned to eat out a lot and so put more money to that. To finance our day to day spending we used the rent we received from out home in London. We were fortunate to have 4 wonderful Spanish people staying in our home and we thank them for looking after it so well. Even then with the bike issues and some other over spends we ended up £1,500 over budget for the year.
Our bikes had and number of issues and if you exclude the €500 we spent on buying a second hand one to replace the one we had stolen we spent just under €200 on them. Replacement spokes tyres inner tubes, plus a full service on the second hand one.
Visitors!!
We had 37 visits from friends and family throughout the year, and want to thank Jeanne, Keeley, Janet, Debbie, Pat, Mick, Gary, Zoe, June, Alison, Conor, Alex, Keeley (again), Trish, Cath, Martin, Jonathan, Mathew, Neil, Keith, Scoop, John, Pat, John, Alison (again), Cath (again), Peter, Liz, Keith (again), Scoop (again), John (again), Dot, Norma, Toddy, Carole, Joe and Alice for taking the time and effort to share some of the adventure with us.
A special word of thanks has to go to Stan and Francis, David’s aunt and uncle, who without their unfailing support during the year we may have been a little stumped when we had to get replacment bank cards sent down to us and when Karen had her cast taken off. Abrasso’s to them all!
Cultural visits!
The museums of Spain are fantastic, we will always be amazed by the treasures of the Prado and the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid and many many more throughout the country. The country is a treasure trove of antiquities we made sure that we visited as many as we could.
Spain has 45 UNESCO world heritage sites, third only to China with 49, and Italy with 47 we wee lucky enough to visit 23 of them on this adventure, missing 2 out as we had visited them on earlier trips.
So we managed in order
- Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville
- Doñana National Park
- Historic Centre of Córdoba
- Historic City of Toledo
- Historic Walled Town of Cuenca
- Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida
- Old Town of Cáceres
- Old City of Salamanca
- Las Médulas
- Roman Walls of Lugo
- Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)
- Route of Santiago de Compostela
- Tower of Hercules
- Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias
- Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct
- Aranjuez Cultural Landscape
- Burgos Cathedral
- Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon
- Vizcaya Bridge, Bilbao
- Pirineos – Monte Perdido
- Works of Antoni Gaudí,
- Palmeral of Elche
- Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza
All in all Spain brought us real joy, the food was stunning, the people extraordinarily generous and kind, the scenery truly majestic, a love affair forever for us. If you are considering a visit leave the costas behind go inland or north if you open your arms and your mind, Spain will reveal it soul and true joy.
And finally some pictures from the year.
Chris and Peter says
Great summary! Well done. And thanks for all the work and sharing! Now stay safe in Italy!
David says
So far a different feel here time will tell.
Angeline Hargreaves says
Love the film ,I just can’t wait to go NOW!!! Finish work in Sept.Motorhome is waiting on the drive ☺☺☺☺
Geoff Beasley says
Where are you planning on going ?
Lee Hargreaves says
Great film!! (I notice my Wife has been here before me).
It pretty much sums up what we want to be doing next year..or maybe this, who knows?
We’re currently learning about Motorhome life in zero degrees, rain and the dark. We can’t wait to shelter from the sun under the awning, with some chilled Rose, instead of clinging to mugs of hot Tea.
We’ll be following your exotic adventures from now on, you can follow our less exotic learning-curve at http://www.gohumberto.com
David says
Had a look at your site surprised that you have to turn off the gas in transit. We have never done so. We use two separate Safefill tanks and swap over as the other gets empty. We should remind you that it does rain in Spain a lot more than you think. Food and people are fantastic. Love Spain!
jane davies says
Just watched you lovely movie. Fab.
the wine filled night we shared with you in Santiago last July seems only yesterday.
Have a wonderful and safe long route home.
Jane
David says
Thanks Jane hope we can meet again when we get back.
Gilda Baxter says
Loved the video and your adventures have been an inspiration. I am so pleased thereis more to come